Our Practice

Additional Information

Gómez & Palumbo Law specializes in Immigration Law and the representation of both immigrants and non-immigrants in immigration matters. Our team of skilled and experienced professionals will provide with you with the transparent and honest legal representation you require. Our legal expertise and professional drive will ensure you unparalleled legal representation.

Our vision and mission are to provide our clients with personalized service to fit their personal needs. Immigrants are vulnerable because they do not always understand the system of law in this foreign nation and we are here to help them in their journey to obtain legal status, to change status, to obtain naturalization or citizenship, represent them in immigration court and to help them keep their legal status when they are in jeopardy of losing it or facing removal proceeding.

Did you know?

Contrary to popular perception, less than half (46 percent) of all immigrants in the United States are Hispanic or Latino. Roughly one-fifth of all immigrants are non-Hispanic white (19.2 percent), about 8 percent are black, and just over a quarter (26.3 percent) are Asian or of some other race/ethnicity.

Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan, Esq.

Petronila “Petra” Veras-Rizwan joined the Gomez and Palumbo team March of 2020 as an Associate Attorney. Petra is a first-generation Dominican American with a deep understanding and appreciation for the immigrant community. Petra learned early on to speak for those that cannot speak for themselves. Petra’s passion and drive derives from seeing her own family struggle through the immigration system. In 2004, Petra saw her own brother, who spent his entire life in the United States, deported to the Dominican Republic. Before Petra’s family could even hire an attorney to represent his brother, he had been deported without reasoning.

Petra has shown determination and resilience both in court and in her personal life. After graduating from high school, Petra became a single mother. Being a single mother did not deter Petra’s ambition and drive to accomplish her childhood dream of practicing law. Petra worked full time as a paralegal while she attended Northern Essex Community College and the University of Massachusetts Lowell. While attending the Massachusetts School Law at Andover, Petra worked full time as an administrative assistant for the Committee for Public Counsel Service Youth Advocacy Division in addition to raising her family.

Petra began practicing immigration law after her admission into the Massachusetts bar and has been a zealous advocate for immigrants before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Education

Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)

CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure

Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)

University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)

Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)

Bar Admission

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

(2016)

Massachusetts Federal District Court

(2017)

Professional Memberships

America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)

Petronila "Petra" Veras-Rizwan se unió al equipo de Gómez y Palumbo en marzo de 2020 como abogada asociada. Petra es una dominicana de primera generación con un profundo entendimiento y aprecio por la comunidad inmigrante. Petra aprendió desde el principio a hablar por aquellos que no pueden hablar por sí mismos. La pasión y el impulso de Petra se derivan de ver la lucha de su propia familia a través del sistema de inmigración. En 2004, Petra vio a su propio hermano, que pasó toda su vida en los Estados Unidos, deportado a la República Dominicana. Antes de que la familia de Petra pudiera contratar a un abogado para representar a su hermano, había sido deportado sin razonamiento.

Petra ha demostrado determinación y resistencia tanto en la corte como en su vida personal. Después de graduarse de la escuela secundaria, Petra se convirtió en madre soltera. Ser madre soltera no disuadió la ambición y el impulso de Petra para lograr el sueño de su infancia de practicar leyes. Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente legal mientras asistía al Northern Essex Community College y a la Universidad de Massachusetts Lowell. Mientras asistía a Massachusetts School of Law at Andover, Petra trabajó a tiempo completo como asistente administrativa de la División de Defensa Juvenil del Comité de Servicio de Asesoramiento Público además de criar a su familia.

Petra comenzó a practicar la ley de inmigración después de su admisión en el colegio de abogados de Massachusetts y ha sido una entusiasta defensora de los inmigrantes ante la Oficina Ejecutiva de Revisión de Inmigración, la Junta de Apelaciones de Inmigración y los Servicios de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de EE. UU.

Educacion

Massachusetts School of Law at Andover (J.D.)

CALI-Academic Achievement Award-District Court Trial Procedure

Southern New Hampshire University (M.S.)

University of Massachusetts-Lowell (B.L.A)

Northern Essex Community College (A.A.)

Admision a Corte

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (2016)

Massachusetts Federal District Court (2017)

Afiliaciones Profesionales

America Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys (MAHA)

MEET THE rest of our team

Omar Ogando, Operations Manager

Omar is the Operations Manager at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. Having recently immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 2021, Omar was looking for a career change and had developed an interest in Immigration Law. He initially joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in August of 2021 and was shortly thereafter promoted to Operations Manager. Due to his extensive experience in business management, Omar has led the Gomez & Palumbo, LLC team through this transformative process. His transition into the managerial role has been seamless and Omar has proven to be an invaluable member of our firm.

Omar obtained his Master’s in Business Management from PUCMM – Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra of Santo Domingo in 2007 and his Bachelor’s in Data Base Computer Science, Cum Laude, from the same university in 2004. Omar has over 15 years of experience working in management and comes to Gomez and Palumbo with a business background eager to manage the innerworkings of a law firm. His enthusiasm and ability to connect with people make him a leader who is approachable and kind.   

In his own words: Gomez and Palumbo, LLC serves as a beacon of hope for our community of immigrants and guides them on their path to achieving their goals in a new country. Having family members for which I have always been the go-to person, gave me a lot of insight into the struggles immigrants go through to come to this country looking for better opportunities. It is a blessing to be part of the process at Gomez and Palumbo.

Omar es el Gerente de Operaciones de Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. Habiendo inmigrado recientemente a los Estados Unidos desde la República Dominicana en 2021, Omar estaba buscando un cambio de carrera y había desarrollado un interés en la Leyes de Inmigración. Inicialmente se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC como asistente legal en agosto del 2021 y poco después fue ascendido al puesto de Gerente de Operaciones. Debido a su amplia experiencia en gestión empresarial, Omar ha liderado el equipo de Gomez & Palumbo, LLC a través de este proceso de transformación. Su transición al rol gerencial ha sido fácil y Omar ha demostrado ser un miembro invaluable de nuestra firma.

Omar obtuvo su Maestría en Administración de Empresas de la PUCMM – Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra de Santo Domingo en el 2007 y su Licenciatura en Informática de Bases de Datos, Cum Laude, de la misma universidad en el 2004. Omar tiene más de 15 años de experiencia trabajando en administración de empresas y viene a Gómez y Palumbo con experiencia, deseoso de administrar el funcionamiento interno de un bufete de abogados. Su entusiasmo y capacidad para conectarse con las personas lo convierten en un líder amable y respetuoso.

En sus propias palabras: Gomez and Palumbo, LLC sirve como un faro de esperanza para nuestra comunidad de inmigrantes y los guía en su camino para lograr sus metas en un nuevo país. Tener familiares para los que siempre he sido la persona a quien acudir me dio mucha información sobre las luchas que atraviesan los inmigrantes para venir a este país en busca de mejores oportunidades. Es una bendición ser parte del proceso en Gómez y Palumbo.  

Michelle Marcelo, Paralegal

Michelle Marcelo joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in October 2021. Michelle obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Pre-Law from Mount Washington College in 2018. Prior to obtaining her Bachelor’s degree she obtained her Associate’s degree in Paralegal Studies. Her passion for immigration began at a young age, as she witnessed the struggles her immigrant family from Dominican Republic faced in order to make it in the United States. As a first-generation Dominican-American, Michelle’s goal is to be the voice that seeks to fight and protect the interest of those who come to our office in need of assistance.

In her own words: Working for Gomez & Palumbo, LLC has been a true honor. It brings me great satisfaction assisting those who come to our office in dire need of help. When helping, I think of my family and the struggles they faced in order to obtain legal immigration status in this country. From a young age family has always been a major part of my life. Many of our client’s face losing the ones they love and having no other choice but to deal with the pain and agony of separation. It brings me joy seeing those who struggle, and face these fears of being separated, obtain the results they desperately desire with the help of our firm.

Michelle Marcelo se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC como asistente legal en octubre del 2021. Michelle obtuvo su licenciatura en Justicia Criminal/Pre-Ley de Mount Washington College en 2018. Antes de obtener su licenciatura obtuvo su título de Asociada en Estudios Paralegales. Su pasión por la inmigración comenzó a una edad temprana, ya que fue testigo de las luchas que enfrentó su familia inmigrante de República Dominicana para llegar a los Estados Unidos. Como dominicana-estadounidense de primera generación, el objetivo de Michelle es ser la voz que busca luchar y proteger los intereses de aquellos que vienen a nuestra oficina en necesidad de asistencia.

En sus propias palabras: Trabajar para Gomez & Palumbo, LLC ha sido un verdadero honor. Me trae una gran satisfacción ayudar a aquellos que vienen a nuestra oficina en extrema necesidad de ayuda. Al ayudar, pienso en mi familia y las luchas que enfrentaron para obtener un estatus migratorio legal en este país. Desde muy joven, la familia siempre ha sido una parte importante de mi vida. Muchos de nuestros clientes se enfrentan a perder a los que aman y no tienen otra opción que lidiar con el dolor y la agonía de la separación. Me alegra ver a aquellos que luchan, y enfrentan estos temores de estar separados, obtener los resultados que desean desesperadamente con la ayuda de nuestra oficina.

Grissel Canario, Paralegal

Grissel Canario joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in January 2023. In 2019, Grissel interned with the firm while attending Abbott Lawrence Academy located in Lawrence, MA. After graduating high school, Grissel returned to Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a college intern before transitioning to her current role as Paralegal. Grissel transferred to the University of Massachusetts Lowell from Temple University, where she is enrolled as a full-time student pursuing her bachelor’s degree in political science. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2024. She hopes to further her education and attend law school after obtaining her bachelor’s degree. Grissel’s passion for immigration law began at an early age when she immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States with her family at seven (7) years of age. Grissel wishes to provide continued service and compassion to the firm’s clientele who want to rectify their immigration status and unite with their family in the United States, as she is eternally grateful to this country for the opportunities it has given her and her family.

In her own words: Working for Gomez & Palumbo, LLC has provided me with the opportunity to help immigrant families in our community achieve the peace of mind that they deserve. As someone who immigrated to the United States at a young age, I have experienced trials and tribulations with my family, and it is my determination to help those experiencing similar circumstances.

Beatriz Sweeney-Sanchez, Paralegal

Beatriz Sweeney-Sanchez joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC as a Paralegal in June 2022. Beatriz graduated with honors from Mount Washington College where she obtained her undergraduate degree in criminal justice in 2014. Beatriz brings unique perspective and experience to her role as a paralegal through her background in law enforcement, as she served as a corrections officer from September 2015 until October 2018, and a police officer for the city of Lawrence, MA, from October 2018 until May 2022, prior to joining the team.

Beatriz is a service-driven professional whose interest in serving the immigrant community was born from her parents’ immigrant story from El Salvador. Beatriz’s desire to learn, grow and serve her community is unmatched and has made her transition into her role at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC seamless. Her ability to communicate with clients in Spanish and English allows Beatriz to understand a client’s needs and assist them efficiently and effectively in moving forward with their case. Beatriz loves serving all communities in the surrounding areas and enjoys working at the firm.

Beatriz Sweeney-Sánchez se unió a Gomez & Palumbo, LLC como Paralegal en junio de 2022. Beatriz se graduó con honores de Mount Washington College, donde obtuvo su licenciatura en justicia penal en 2014. Beatriz aporta una perspectiva y experiencia únicas a su papel como asistente legal a través de su experiencia en la aplicación de la ley, ya que se desempeñó como oficial de correcciones desde septiembre de 2015 hasta octubre de 2018, y como oficial de policía para la ciudad de Lawrence, MA, desde octubre de 2018 hasta mayo de 2022, antes de unirse al equipo.

Beatriz es una profesional orientada al servicio cuyo interés en servir a la comunidad inmigrante nació de la historia de inmigración de sus padres de El Salvador. El deseo de Beatriz de aprender, crecer y servir a su comunidad es inigualable y ha hecho que su transición a su papel en Gomez & Palumbo, LLC sea perfecta. Su capacidad para comunicarse con los clientes en español e inglés le permite a Beatriz comprender las necesidades de un cliente y ayudarlos de manera eficiente y efectiva a seguir adelante con su caso. A Beatriz le encanta servir a todas las comunidades en las áreas circundantes y disfruta trabajar en la firma.

Nilda Ivelisse D'Onofrio, Lawyer Intern

Nilda Ivelisse D’Onofrio (Nilda Ivelisse Ramos Martinez) joined the Gomez and Palumbo team in December of 2022 as a lawyer intern. Ivelisse graduated from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 2013. After passing the Puerto Rico Bar Exam in 2014, she opened her private practice, working mostly Family Law and other Civil matters. Ivelisse has a passion for serving others; as soon as she opened her private practice, she joined Pro-Bono, Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to giving free services to people without enough means to hire an attorney to represent them in court cases. While working her private practice and doing the pro-bono work, she also worked as Legal Counsel for the then Speaker of the Senate of Puerto Rico, Honorable Carmelo Rios, from 2014 until 2017.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Ivelisse worked as an Account Executive in the Mortgage Industry from 1998 to 2000. In 2001 she became a Real Estate Broker and opened her own Real Estate Firm, Alternative 1 Real Estate Services, until the year 2008. While working in the Real Estate Business, in 2006 Ivelisse went back to the University of Puerto Rico to finish her bachelor’s degree in Office Systems. Following the completion of her bachelor’s degree, she was accepted into law school at the University of Puerto Rico in 2009, completing her degree in 2013.

During her time in Law School Ivelisse belonged to different student organizations, such as the Student Council as a Student Representative before the faculty members. She was a Student Representative for Wolster Kluer Law & Business, where she serviced their products and was a liaison between the faculty and the company, and the students and the company. Ivelisse also was the Dean’s of Student’s Assistant for the Student Affair’s Department, doing office and administrative work, and was also the Pro-Bono Program Coordinator. She also did and internship for the United States Bankruptcy Court in Ponce, Puerto Rico, during the semester of January to May of 2013.

Ivelisse wants to continue servicing those who need representation, and understands immigration is a field where passion for service is of utmost importance. She is looking forward to a fulfilling career by assisting those who are seeking to live the American Dream.

Education

University of Puerto Rico School of Law – Juris Doctor – Cum Laude

University of Puerto Rico, Carolina Campus – Office Systems – Bachelor’s Degree

Bar Admissions

Puerto Rico Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals, First Circuit, Boston, MA

Yeimi Hernandez-Ovalle, Administrative Assistant

Yeimi joined Gomez & Palumbo, LLC in July of 2020 after graduating from Greater Lawrence Technical School. Yeimi’s parents immigrated to the United States from Guatemala. From a young age, she witnessed the strength and pride of immigrants but also the challenges they face in this country which inspired her to work with immigrants every day. Yeimi aspires to continue her education by majoring in the Business Field and is currently a part-time student at Northern Essex Community College while working full-time for the firm.

In her own words: I have passion for helping people and making a difference in their lives. It is easy making a difference in people’s lives when you care about them enough to contribute to their well being. It is important to be invested and see people in need who come across you and want to lend them a hand. Gomez & Palumbo, LLC; has given me that opportunity to work with immigrants to whom even the slightest gesture of caring means something to them because of their need and vulnerable state. I am grateful for the opportunity to help people in my position at the firm since I am the first person they hear from most of the time and having that compassion goes a long way.

Yohanna Perez Rosario, Administrative Assistant

Yohanna joined Gomez & Palumbo LLC as an Administrative Assistant in June of 2022. Yohanna is a hard-working young woman who cares deeply about the people she interacts with daily. She started working at the early age of 15 and has continued to this day. Yohanna is the first face our clients interact with when they come to the office to conduct business. We are very fortunate to have someone with such a clear disposition and attitude working with people, and with great customer service skills that benefit our clients.

Yohanna is an immigrant herself, as she comes from Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. She came to the United States when she was fourteen years of age. When she started her journey, she was sad to leave behind most of her extended family and friends but was excited to immigrate with her parents and two sisters to start a new life in this land of opportunities. Although she misses her family in the Dominican Republic, she has been able to adapt and enjoy the possibilities and choices this nation has to offer. Yohanna recently became an American Citizen herself and understand firsthand what it means to deal with the agencies that provide services to immigrants. She has empathy for our clients and a clear understanding of what they go through.

In her own words: "I love working at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. because it brings me joy to see our clients' accomplishments and triumphs. Our clients' joy and satisfaction remind me of my own story here in the United States. I always see our clients' perspective as if it was my own, because I know what it feels like. It is a joy to work for a team of people that have the same views I have of immigration, and the importance of seeing the clients' needs as our own."

Yohanna se unió a Gomez & Palumbo LLC como asistente administrativa en junio de 2022. Yohanna es una joven trabajadora que se preocupa profundamente por las personas con las que interactúa a diario. Comenzó a trabajar a la temprana edad de 15 años y ha continuado hasta el día de hoy. Yohanna es la primera cara con la que interactúan nuestros clientes cuando vienen a nuestra oficina. Somos muy afortunados de tener a alguien con una disposición y actitud tan clara trabajando con personas, y con grandes habilidades de servicio que benefician a nuestros clientes.

Yohanna es inmigrante, ya que proviene de Jarabacoa, República Dominicana. Llegó a los Estados Unidos cuando tenía catorce años. Cuando comenzó su viaje, estaba triste de dejar atrás a la mayoría de su familia extendida y amigos, pero estaba emocionada de emigrar con sus padres y dos hermanas para comenzar una nueva vida en esta tierra de oportunidades. Aunque extraña a su familia en la República Dominicana, ha podido adaptarse y disfrutar de las posibilidades y opciones que esta nación tiene para ofrecer. Yohanna recientemente se convirtió en ciudadana estadounidense y entiende de primera mano lo que significa tratar con las agencias que brindan servicios a los inmigrantes. Ella tiene empatía por nuestros clientes y una comprensión clara de lo que pasan.

En sus propias palabras: "Me encanta trabajar en Gomez & Palumbo, LLC. porque me da alegría ver los logros y triunfos de nuestros clientes. La alegría y la satisfacción de nuestros clientes me recuerdan mi propia historia aquí en los Estados Unidos. Siempre veo la perspectiva de nuestros clientes como si fuera la mía, porque sé lo que se siente. Es un placer trabajar para un equipo de personas que tienen los mismos puntos de vista que yo tengo sobre la inmigración, y la importancia de ver las necesidades de los clientes como propias".

Debbie Conde, Mail Clerk

Debbie Conde joined the Gomez & Palumbo, LLC team in June of 2022 as a Mail Clerk. Debbie comes from the banking industry and brings her attention to detail an unwavering commitment to service to the firm. One of the things Debbie enjoys the most at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC is the dedication the firm has to providing a welcoming and safe environment for our clients. She is passionate about customer service; therefore she is a great addition to our team. She is highly focused, dependable, professional, and courteous. Our clients learn to quickly trust her during her communication with them.

In her own words: “I have the fortune to have been born in this great country, a land of opportunities. My mother is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. It has been my honor to grow up seeing her work hard to accomplish her aspirations. Just last year she became a United States Citizen, and I still savor the joy of that accomplishment. I love working at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC because it is a place that helps people fulfill their dreams, like my mother was able to. Nothing gives me greater joy than giving great news to people when their dreams also come true thanks to the help of the team at Gomez & Palumbo, LLC.”